Mali coach Anthony Da Silva drops captain Yves Bissouma from squad for AFCON qualifiers

Mali head coach Anthony Da Silva has announced his 26-man squad for the upcoming international window, with captain Yves Bissouma among the notable absentees.

The Portuguese tactician unveiled his squad on Thursday, September 10, as the Eagles prepare for a busy period that will see them play three matches during the FIFA international break.

Bissouma, Abdoulaye Diaby and Woyo Coulibaly have all been left out of the squad, meaning the trio will miss Mali’s upcoming assignments against Cape Verde, Liberia and Tunisia.

Mali will begin the international window with a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Cape Verde on September 23 in Bamako.

The Eagles will then travel to Liberia four days later for their second qualifier, with the encounter scheduled for September 27.

Following their two competitive fixtures, Da Silva’s side will round off the window with a friendly against Tunisia in Tunis on October 3.

The three matches will provide Da Silva with an opportunity to assess his squad while also continuing preparations for Mali’s 2027 AFCON qualification campaign.

The decision to omit Bissouma is particularly notable given the midfielder’s status as captain and an experienced member of the national team.

His absence means Da Silva will have to rely on other players to provide leadership and stability as Mali begin their qualifying campaign.

The Eagles will be determined to make a strong start against Cape Verde on home soil before facing Liberia away from home.

The friendly against Tunisia will subsequently give the technical team another opportunity to test different combinations and assess players ahead of future international assignments.

With three games packed into a little over a week, squad depth will be crucial for Mali, particularly as the team balances the demands of competitive AFCON qualifiers with preparations for the remainder of the international calendar.

Da Silva will hope his selected players can deliver positive results and provide a strong foundation for Mali’s pursuit of qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.